Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, says the Federal Government will ensure better welfare for military personnel, veterans and families of the nation’s fallen heroes.
Badaru gave the assurance in an interview with newsmen at the Wreath Laying Ceremony to mark the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day on Monday in Abuja.
The minister said it was in recognition of the magnitude of the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces that Jan. 15 was set aside to remember those who had paid the supreme price for the unity of Nigeria.
He said it was also a celebration and recognition of the effort that had been put in by the armed forces for the country to be united and live in peace and prosperity.
“First, first we have to thank the President for all the support and the love he showed for the fallen heroes and their families.
“He has been very supportive and we will try as much as possible to take care of them in every means and ways.
“ They should keep working very hard and also on the menace of the security challenges in the country, I think they are doing wonderfully well now.
“We will do our best and we have all the support from Mr President to support the families of the fallen heroes in every way and manner possible,’’ he said.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said that remembering and celebrating the efforts of the fallen heroes would serve as encouragement to those still serving as their efforts would not be in vain.
Fagbemi said the present administration had shown commitment to the welfare and well being of the serving and retired personnel as well as those of the families of the fallen heroes.
“So far it has been in terms of ensuring that they get the needed support from the government.
“Recently, you remember that the President released a huge sum of money to take care of the servicemen, the fallen heroes which goes to show that the present administration remembers them.
“Like I said, no amount of effort is too much to make sure we continue to remember these fallen heroes, the veterans and those who are still serving,” he said.
On his part, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, commended the men and women of the armed forces for the sacrifices they had continued to make to keep the nation safe.
Akpabio said the Remembrance Day was to signify to the members of the armed forces and their families that they were not alone and that the entire nation mourn with them.
“And we continue to pray for God Almighty to console them and provide for the children and the siblings that they have left behind.
“And again, the presence of all of us, it is also a major significant that yes indeed, the government of the day would never let them mourn alone,
“We will do everything possible to ensure that their welfare is taken care of and that this event reduces the calamities that we are seeing in our country,’’ he said.
The Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, assured them of the readiness of the government to take care of them and their families.
Abbas also expressed the commitment of the National Assembly towards ensuring that welfare of veterans, families of fallen heroes as well as that of the serving personnel was improved.
“They should know that what they are doing is a noble cause, and we will be with them all the way.
“We’ll support them all the way and will ensure that they are not left alone. That is a commitment from the National Assembly.
“As you have heard from our Senate President, we will do everything humanly possible to improve the welfare of the falling heroes, their families, and the active men and women in the field,’’ he said.